NEWARK -- The decision of former Devils teammate Brian Rafalski to play hockey in the East Coast League with the possibility of returning to the NHL was not lost on goalie Martin Brodeur.

Currently in the final year of his contract, Brodeur was once again reminded that walking away from the game too soon often leads to regret.

“That’s what those of us close to retirement are battling. Being afraid of missing something that is a lot of fun,” Brodeur told The Star-Ledger Friday. “You’re supposed to know when you are ready (to retire), but it’s not that easy to figure out. (Rafalski) has to miss it. He just played in one alumni game and got the itch again.”

Might the reminder of how difficult it is to retire convince Brodeur to stay another season?

“I’m not thinking about doing anything drastically in that department. Not yet,” Brodeur answered with a smile.

Whether or not that is a strong hint that the 41-year-old goalie plans to keep playing, former teammate and longtime friend John Madden said he doesn’t expect Brodeur to retire after this season.

“No, I think he’ll play next year,” said Madden, now an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers, who will face the Devils tonight at Prudential Center. “Because he’s still good at what he does and I know he still loves what he does. And he still has a lot to give to the game.”

Goalie Tim Thomas, who took a year off from the game before signing a one-year contract with the Panthers Sept. 26 following a training camp tryout, agreed with Brodeur that most athletes don’t know when it is the right time to retire.

“No, you don’t. Also, sometimes you just need a break. Whether it’s a year or, like with Brian Rafalski, a couple of years,” Thomas said. “It depends on your career. I think having injuries throughout your career keeps you more mentally fresh for playting than playing all the time and with all the travel. You miss a lot of trips and get a lot of mental breaks that way. If you’re a player that’s played all the time and didn’t miss a lot of time with injuries, then I think it can add up a little quicker.”

His gut feeling on Brodeur?

“I don’t know. I’m not in Marty’s head,” Thomas said. “I know he’s played a ton of games at the highest level for a long, long time. But he seems to have the personality that allows him to do that and not have it overwhelm him.”

Rafalski, who played on the Devils’ 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup championship teams, will attempt his comeback with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. He retired after playing the 2010-11 season with the Detroit Red Wings, bothered by knee problems.

Although Rafalski told ESPN.com he does not have the NHL on his mind right now and admits “it’s a big mountain to climb,” Brodeur is pulling for him.

“It’s great. I was surprised that he retired,” Brodeur said. “He was still a real effective defenseman with Detroit when he did retire. He also left all that money on the table, so it was a little bit of a shock. I’m happy that he’s giving it another shot. He’s a really good player. When someone is that close to you and you win, you always appreciate those players.”

Rafalski retired with one year left on his contract at $6 million. He is now an unrestricted free agent and several NHL teams have called the Everblades, who are affiliated with both the Lightning and Hurricanes.

“It’s been a long time since he’s played so it’s going to be interesting to follow,” Madden said. “I came back halfway through a year with Florida and it’s challenging. I think any player that has been out of the game for a significant amount of time, with an injury or just being out, it’s a challenge coming back.”